Future Build Preview: Spitfire DB 605 Conversion
The Spitfire and the Messerschmitt Bf 109. In terms of machinery, these two iconic fighters have to stand near the top of any list of World War II's greatest rivals.…
Announcing Future Build Previews!
UPS delivered some really nifty aftermarket bits this afternoon, and going through them, I had a minor epiphany. I love writing build reports, how-tos, and the occasional observation or rant…
On the Bench: 1/48 Academy P-47N Thunderbolt
The P-47N was the last variant of Republic's venerable Thunderbolt to be produced. Designed to escort the new B-29 Superfortress to Japan and back, the -N featured a new wing…
Tamiya Spitfire Mk.VIII – COMPLETED
Finished "Fargo Express" up last night. Overall, absolu-friggin-lutely amazing kit. It's pricey, but I think it absolutely earns its price tag. More pictures, review, etc are posted up in COMPLETED…
Tamiya Spitfire Mk.VIII Build Report 2: Merlin Build-Up
One thing most nations discovered during the course of World War II was that engines mattered. A lot. In fighter aircraft especially, the choice of engine could decide whether a…
Initial Thoughts on Tamiya’s 1/32 P-51D Mustang
So now that I've had a chance to look through the sprues and peruse the instructions for Tamiya's new 1/32 P-51, I have a load of initial thoughts to share.…
Old Sherman Pics!
I still remember the first armor kit I ever built. Tamiya's venerable M4A3 Sherman. For years, I've thought all evidence of that build was long gone. But this morning, going…
Not All Photo-Etch is Created Equal
Case in point. Eduard's PE instrument panel for the 1/48 Tamiya P-51... ...and Eduard's PE instrument panel for the 1/32 Tamiya Spitfire...
Big Jug
The P-47 Thunderbolt is my favorite plane from any era, hands down. I can't point to any singular reason why. Rather, it's the sum of the thing. The snarling Pratt…
View from an iPad
As it says at the bottom of the page, this blog is running on the Wordpress platform. Having used all three of the major blogging platforms (Blogger, Typepad/Moveable Type, and…